Final Cover of Nintendo Power

[Yami Daimao]

A bigger version:

[Stu]

For comparison, here's the first issue.

[celticjobber]

Damn, it really sucks that Game Informer is pretty much the only videogame magazine out there (atleast in the US) anymore. EGM was back for awhile but I haven't seen a new issue out in a couple of months.

[Deleted]

Fitting for the last issue of Nintendo Power.

[salsashark]

Serious question that I don't mean to sound like a dick for asking about: When was the last time everyone in the thread actually bought a copy of/subscribed to Nintendo Power? I've read a lot of weepy nostalgia for the magazine and some of it honestly strikes me as crocodile tears from people who just miss bits of their childhood and have no interest in actually reading/supporting the magazine, which is one of the reasons why it's on the way out.

[Stu]

It's one part nostalgia, one part respect and understanding for a major product. A lot of us have fond memories of Nintendo Power from our youth. At the same time, Nintendo Power has been around for 25 years. We've all either bought issues, seen them in passing or just read them to kill time at the book store or supermarket. It has important name value and is known worldwide. It's the end of a major product.

Just because we're not out buying the magazing every month doesn't mean we don't understand how big of a deal this is or can't show some sadness for it going out of business. It's no different from your average adult hearing about some business from their childhood being demolished.

Now before you go comparing this to everyone's reaction to Hostess going out of business, let's just say that's an entirely different story. ;D

[AFN: Judge Shred]

Nov 30, 2012 14:37:05 GMT -5 salsashark said:

Serious question that I don't mean to sound like a dick for asking about: When was the last time everyone in the thread actually bought a copy of/subscribed to Nintendo Power? I've read a lot of weepy nostalgia for the magazine and some of it honestly strikes me as crocodile tears from people who just miss bits of their childhood and have no interest in actually reading/supporting the magazine, which is one of the reasons why it's on the way out.

My sub ended a year ago, I have cherry picked form the news stands since then.

[8.2.11/SAVIOR_NEZ]

Nov 30, 2012 14:37:05 GMT -5 salsashark said:

Serious question that I don't mean to sound like a dick for asking about: When was the last time everyone in the thread actually bought a copy of/subscribed to Nintendo Power? I've read a lot of weepy nostalgia for the magazine and some of it honestly strikes me as crocodile tears from people who just miss bits of their childhood and have no interest in actually reading/supporting the magazine, which is one of the reasons why it's on the way out.

I've actually been a subscriber on and off several times since 1993 (have tons of old back issues too). Most recently, I've been a current subscriber since about 2009, and I have about 2 years left on the subscription. So yeah, Nintendo Power has been something I've enjoyed (and still enjoy) since childhood, and it leaving does leave a big void.

That being said, that cover is awesome, I can't wait to get it!

[salsashark]

I appreciate the responses, guys. I don't want to seem over cynical -- I'm sure there are people out there still buying magazines, I'm just not sure it's how many people I've read talking about it is all. I still read and collect magazines regularly, so this is one of my soft spots.

Nov 30, 2012 14:49:56 GMT -5 Stu said:

It's one part nostalgia, one part respect and understanding for a major product. A lot of us have fond memories of Nintendo Power from our youth. At the same time, Nintendo Power has been around for 25 years. We've all either bought issues, seen them in passing or just read them to kill time at the book store or supermarket. It has important name value and is known worldwide. It's the end of a major product.

Just because we're not out buying the magazing every month doesn't mean we don't understand how big of a deal this is or can't show some sadness for it going out of business. It's no different from your average adult hearing about some business from their childhood being demolished.

Now before you go comparing this to everyone's reaction to Hostess going out of business, let's just say that's an entirely different story. ;D

I definitely understand all this reasoning and it's all very valid, and I legit appreciate you being so reasonable and open -- it's just that the stuff in bold bothers me. I am a total nostalgic myself and am currently sitting in a room at my dad's place where a giant box of G.I. Joes is sitting on the shelf even though I haven't opened it in years alongside a stack of '90s gaming magazines. (No Nintendo Power, though -- I've only ever read the magazine while borrowing it from the library or a friend.)

The thing is, for as much as I love G.I. Joes (my example here), if Hasbro's G.I. Joe line went out of business, I'd have a tough time truly justifying getting sad since the company was still creating products up until the recent closure. If I was truly invested in this brand at this point in my life, I'd be supporting them in some way.

The Nintendo Power magazine example also hits particularly close to home for me, as I'm a writer for print (like you, if I remember correctly) and I've seen so many great magazines go to the scrap heap because they can't get advertising anymore, which leads me to believe that no one is buying the magazine/subscrips are getting slashed. If you're one of those people who has not supported the product in a while or has no legitimate use for it nowadays, it strikes me as pretty disingenuous to get sad over it.

It's an entropy you could have prevented in small part, you know what I mean? It's not like a person dying where you had no way to save them -- this is a product you could have saved/helped (in whatever small part) if you were truly into it. The gesture just feels empty, like someone feeling obligated to type "RIP" for a dead celebrity, even as I acknowledge that this product's demise does signify that the world ain't what it used to be.

[frankincleveland]

I'm a susbcriber and I read mine cover to cover.

E-readers are nice and all, but I I still like my physical media. I'm too careful with my gadgets to take them out with me wherever, other than my phone.

But I'm pretty sure it wasn't lack of sales/advertising that finished off NP, but rather that Nintendo sees it as more efficient to get out info directly. Things like Nintendo Direct and the Nintendo Channel or whatever can be delivered directly to customers, and they can exercise complete control their messaging. That's a problem not just for print but gaming websites as well. To me it seems that gaming media is now less about previews and breaking news than it is reacting and commenting on said news. There are pros and cons to this, though.

[salsashark]

Nov 30, 2012 18:00:01 GMT -5 frankincleveland said:

I'm a susbcriber and I read mine cover to cover.

E-readers are nice and all, but I I still like my physical media. I'm too careful with my gadgets to take them out with me wherever, other than my phone.

But I'm pretty sure it wasn't lack of sales/advertising that finished off NP, but rather that Nintendo sees it as more efficient to get out info directly. Things like Nintendo Direct and the Nintendo Channel or whatever can be delivered directly to customers, and they can exercise complete control their messaging. That's a problem not just for print but gaming websites as well. To me it seems that gaming media is now less about previews and breaking news than it is reacting and commenting on said news. There are pros and cons to this, though.

I definitely understand this aspect -- it's just that I'm pretty sure if sales were healthy enough to justify keeping it alive, this wouldn't be an issue, unless it was part of some massive rebranding effort. (If it is, let me know.)

[BlackoutCreature]

I think I might try to pick this up when it comes out. Nester better make an appearance in there somewhere.

[Deleted]

Nov 30, 2012 14:37:05 GMT -5 salsashark said:

Serious question that I don't mean to sound like a dick for asking about: When was the last time everyone in the thread actually bought a copy of/subscribed to Nintendo Power? I've read a lot of weepy nostalgia for the magazine and some of it honestly strikes me as crocodile tears from people who just miss bits of their childhood and have no interest in actually reading/supporting the magazine, which is one of the reasons why it's on the way out.

My subscription ended in October and they wouldn't let me renew. I wanted the Subsciber Edition (slightly different covers) of the last issue with my name on it.

It still has a devoted fan base. I've rarely missed an issue since issue 1.

[frankincleveland]

Nintendo should rename it's 3DS video program from The Nintendo Show (I think that's what it's called) to Nintendo Power. Why not? The name obviously has a lot of sentimental value.

[Deleted]

That cover is perfect.

[willywonka666]

I have a friend who I think has EVERY (or missing a couple) issues of Nintendo power. he's been waiting for the last one to buy and then he will sell them all in a complete set

[AFN: Judge Shred]

Nov 30, 2012 18:02:17 GMT -5 salsashark said:

Nov 30, 2012 18:00:01 GMT -5 frankincleveland said:

I'm a susbcriber and I read mine cover to cover.

E-readers are nice and all, but I I still like my physical media. I'm too careful with my gadgets to take them out with me wherever, other than my phone.

But I'm pretty sure it wasn't lack of sales/advertising that finished off NP, but rather that Nintendo sees it as more efficient to get out info directly. Things like Nintendo Direct and the Nintendo Channel or whatever can be delivered directly to customers, and they can exercise complete control their messaging. That's a problem not just for print but gaming websites as well. To me it seems that gaming media is now less about previews and breaking news than it is reacting and commenting on said news. There are pros and cons to this, though.

I definitely understand this aspect -- it's just that I'm pretty sure if sales were healthy enough to justify keeping it alive, this wouldn't be an issue, unless it was part of some massive rebranding effort. (If it is, let me know.)

From all accounts it wasn't circulation that caused this, it was a rift between the publisher(Future) and Nintendo. They couldn't play nice so Nintendo took their ball and went home.

[Hurbster]

Future are also canning XBoxworld and PSM magazines. They already killed my favourite magazine - PC Zone. I think we can say that Future are not my most respected publishing company out there.

[Vice honcho room temperature]

Have they been doing anything special in the issues leading up to the final one? So I should know if I should track those down too

[8.2.11/SAVIOR_NEZ]

Dec 1, 2012 21:28:41 GMT -5 Vice honcho room temperature said:

Have they been doing anything special in the issues leading up to the final one? So I should know if I should track those down too

In some respects, the last two might be worth your time. If you can get a subscriber copy of the October issue, it came with a letter from Reggie and Chris Slate (Editor-in-Chief) basically informing everyone of the ending of the magazine, and thanking the readers for all the good times.

The November issue doesn't have too much in the way of special memories or anything, but it does have a really cool Wii U preview. It got me excited about the new system. It brought me back to their previews of the Super NES and Nintendo 64. It made me feel like I have to own one (just like the good old days), which I will at the beginning of the year!